Wiring accessory



Jan. 17, 1961 w. H. MILLER EIAL 2,968,077

WIRING ACCESSORY Filed May 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS: WILLIAMH. MILLER HARRY E HOLLEN BYiz p 1951 w. H. MILLER EI'AL 2,968,077

WIRING ACCESSORY 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 Filed May 27, 1959 mmu w T MM n mmmsm mu .m m x 5 A w United States Patent WIRING ACCESSORY William H.Miller, Elmhurst, and Harry F. Hollen, Chicago, Ill., assignors to CookElectric Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 27,1959, Ser. No. 816,125

'3 Claims. (Cl. 24-81) The invention presented herein relates to adevice for gripping an elongated object and, particularly to such adevice which is useful for gripping and anchoring cable, wire, rope andlike items.

In particular, devices in accordance with this invention are especiallyuseful in telephone installation work for anchoring drop wires betweenthe subscribers premises and messenger cables. One of the common methodsof carrying telephone cable is to suspend it from a messenger cablestrung between the poles. The drop wire provides the connection betweenthe telephone cable and th subscribers telephone. It is customary toattach the drop wire to the messenger cable at a point where the span tothe subscribers premises will be within the desired limits. In somesituations, however, the point of attachment is selected to avoidobstacles presented between the cable and the subscribers premises.Heretofore, it has been common practice in the art to anchor the dropwire at each end with a clamping device having a tapering wedge. Thishas entailed the use of several nuts and bolts, tools and parts.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide agripping and anchoring device useful in such installations which isinstalled and removed without using any tools.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device whichis simple, reliable and quick to install.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide such a devicewhich can be quickly released without the use of tools to allowadjustments to be made.

It is a still further object to provide a device for gripping andanchoring a drop wire which will not tear, cut or damage the insulationon the drop wire.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for gripping adrop wire and anchoring the drop wire to the messenger strand in a novelmanner which permits the user to quickly .and readily adjust theposition of the device along the messenger strand without the use oftools.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device forgripping a drop wire and anchoring the drop wire to the messenger strandwhich is readily adjusted to accommodate strands of various diameters.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a gripping andanchoring device having parts that can be easily manufactured andassembled with a minimum amount of time and labor.

In general, an exemplary embodiment of this invention may comprise aflat base member having a substantially straight flange across one end;a flat gripping member having one end flanged along an are; a flangeddisc; and means for rotatively and eccentrically mounting the grippingmember and disc on the base member such that their flat surfaces arecontiguous and the flange of the gripping member is disposed between theflange of the disc and the base member, whereby rotation of the grippingmember relative to the base member varies the gap between their flanges,and rotation of the disc relative to the gripping member will vary thegap between their disc and gripping member flanges. This arrangementmakes it possible to place an elongated object such as a rope or wirebetween the flanges of the base and gripping members and rotate thesemembers relative to each other until the gap between their flangesbecomes small enough to grip and fixedly hold the object. If the objectis under tension in the direction tending to cause the same relativemovement between the flanges, the tension will tend to decrease the gapstill further and more fixedly grip the object between the flanges.Similarly, an object placed between the flanges of the disc and thegripping member also will be gripped and held securely when the disc andgripping members are rotated relative to each other. Any tension on theobject tending to rotate the disc still further will increase thegripping action. To release elongated objects, it is necessary only toreverse the direction of relative movement between the base and grippingmembers, or between flanged disc and gripping member. This can be donein some cases merely by pulling on the objects being gripped in thedirection needed to cause such rotation.

For a better understanding of the invention, attention is now directedto the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Figure lwith the device positioned for receiving an object to be gripped;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of one part of the device of Figure1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 when in use;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of theinvention; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 5 when in use.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 comprises a flat,generally rectangular-shaped rigid base 1 from sheet metal. The base isbent at one end to form an open channel 2 for receiving an elongatedobject 3 to be gripped by the device. As shown in Fig. 4, base 1presents a J-shaped configuration when viewed from an end of channel 2.

An object 3 placed in channel 2 may be wedged in place by a grippingmember 4 coupled for eccentric rotation on base 1 by a rivet 5. One endof the member 4 is tapered to provide a lever or handle 6 for moving themember 4 about the axis of rivet 5 while the opposite end is providedwith an arcuate flange 7.

The rivet 5 passes through the member 4 a short distance to the left ofthe center 8 of the arc defined by flange 7 and at a slightly greaterdistance from the flange 7 than the center 8. The rivet is received inan opening 9 of base 1, shown in Fig. 3 which is located so that theouter surface 10 of flange 7 passes a short distance below the innersurface 11 of channel 2 when member 4 and base 1 are rotated relative toeach other. In addition, since rivet 5 is eccentrically located withrespect to flange 7, in the manner indicated, the right-hand portion ofsurface 10 comes closer to the opening of channel 2 than the left-handportion when flange 7 is rotated with respect to channel 2. Thus, anobject 3 placed in channel 2 is eifectively wedged in place betweenchannel 2 and flange 7 when the latter is moved counterclockwise.Movement of flange 7 about the axis of rivet 5 may be accomplishedeasily by using the handle portion 6 of gripping member 4. This enablesa user to wedge or release an object 3 placed between flange 7 andchannel 2.

A flanged disc 12 with its bottom 13 positioned adjacent gripping member4 cooperates with the inner surface Patented Jan. 17, 1961 3 14 offlange 7 to grip a second object 15. The flanged disc 12 rotateseccentrically about rivet 5.

As the disc 12 is rotated counterclockwise, flange 16 of the disc movescloser to the inner surface 14 of flange 7. By rotating the disc 12 toincrease the gap between flange 16 and flange 7 of the gripping member 4sufliciently, a flexible elongated object 15 placed between flange 7 andflange 16 may be wedged in place by rotating the flanged disc 12counterclockwise. The flange of disc 12 has a serrated or knurled outersurface 17 as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, by pulling the object 15 tothe left, the flanged disc 12 is moved counterclockwise and the objectis gripped securely between surfaces 14 and 17. Similarly, by pullingthe object to the right it may be quickly and easily released. Any pullto the left on the object 15 urges flange 7 to move counterclockwise,thereby tending to increase and maintain the grip thereon the object.This also tends to tighten the grip on an object in channel 2. The forceexerted on the object between surfaces 14 and 17 to maintain thegripping action of surfaces and 11 is magnified by the fact the forceacts at a point which is a substantial distance from the axis ofrotation of surface 10.

To prevent the surface of the object held between surfaces 14 and 17from being cut by the end portions of flange 7, the end portions 18, 19of flange 7 are flared away from the object.

The sides of the channel 2 prevent object 3 from slipping outwardly frombetween surfaces 11 and 10. The flanged disc 12 has lip 20 which isflared outwardly from the flange 16. The lip 20 and member 4 prevent theobject from slipping outwardly from between surfaces 14 and 17.

To hold the base 1, gripping member 4 and flanged disc 12 on the rivet5, the rivet 5 has a head (not shown) which will not pass through theopening 9 in frame 1. The rivet passes through a washer 21 adjacent tothe bottom 13 of disc 12 and is flared to hold the rivet in place in theassembly.

The heart shaped opening 9 in base 1 permits movement of the base 1relative to rivet 5 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rivet 5 andprovides two positions for the rivet 5 when the device is operated. Asshown in Fig. 3, the opening provides one position toward the left sideof base 1 which is slightly further from channel 2 than the secondposition provided toward the right side of frame 1. A slight projection22 between the two positions fixes the rivet in one or the other of thetwo positions. It has the effect, therefore, of preventing the rivetfrom moving to the first position when the second position has beenselected for use. The provision of the two positions permits the deviceto be used with a wider range of object sizes than otherwise would bepossible. It is obvious that other positions could be provided in asimilar manner so that the device can be made to accommodate a stillwider selection of object sizes.

The device shown in Fig. 1 is useful for anchoring the drop wire to themessenger strand 3 to provide telephone service to a subscriber. Forconvenience, operation of the device is described below when used forthis purpose. Operation of the device is described with rivet 5 in onlyone of the two positions provided by the opening in base 1.

To facilitate positioning base 1 on the messenger strand 3, grippingmember 4 is rotated clockwise until a suflicient gap exists betweenchannel 2 and flange 7 for passage of the messenger strand 3. Fig. 2shows the member 4 rotated approximately 90 to the position whichprovides the maximum gap between channel 2 and flange 7. This permitsthe messenger strand to be positioned easily within channel 2. Then,using the handle portion 6, gripping member 4 is rotatedcounterclockwise causing the flange 7 to engage the messenger strand asshown in Fig. 4.

With the device thus anchored to the messenger strand 3, flanged disc 12is rotated until the gap between surfaces 17 and 14 is suflicient topermit the insertion of the drop wire 15 therebetween. As a result, theend of the drop wire 15 which is anchored to the subscribers premisespulls from the left of the device. By rotating the flanged disc 12counterclockwise, the gap is reduced and the drop wire 15 is wedgedtightly between surfaces 14 and 17 as shown in Fig. 4. The weight of thedrop wire between the device and the anchoring point at the subscriberspremises maintains a secure grip under all conditions. The same tensionalso urges surface 10 in a counterclockwise direction to maintain thegripping action on the messenger cable 3.

As described above, the force for maintaining the clamping action of thedevice acts at a point which is some distance from the axis of rivet 5about which surfaces 10, 11, 14 and 17 rotate thus multiplying theeffectiveness of the force. In operating the device, the gripping actionfor holding the messenger cable 3 is obtained by rotation of surfaces 10and 11 relative each other, and the gripping action for holding the dropwire 15 is obtained by relative movement between surfaces 14 and 17about the same axis of rotation. Although the device shown in Fig. 1uses a common axis of rotation for all members, separate axes ofrotation can be established for surfaces 10 and 11 and for surfaces 11and 12. This variation in design may be desirable when a greatermechanical advantage is needed. In such a case, the rivet 5 of thedrawing is used between gripping member 4 and flanged disc 12, and aseparate rivet (not shown) is to be used at a greater distance fromsurface 14 to rotatively couple base 1 and gripping member 4. Theirregular shaped opening 9 in base 1 as shown in Fig. 1 is then placedin base 1 or gripping member 4. Such an arrangement also provides morespace between base 1 and member 4 when placing the device in contactwith the messenger strand 3 prior to moving surface 10 into contact withthe strand.

One feature of the device shown in Fig. 1 which provides a simple andcheap device for gripping two separate objects is use of a singleelement to provide a gripping surface for each object.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Thisembodiment also is useful for anchoring a rope or wire to a fixedobject, and is especially useful for anchoring the drop wire used inproviding telephone service to a telephone subscribers premises.

This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that a flange 7with a surface 14 cooperates with the outer knurled surface 17' of theflange 16' of the disc 12 to grip the drop wire 15. The arcuate flange 7is a part of a base or support member 23 which has a flat portion 24 foreccentrically mounting the flanged disc 12 by use of rivet 5' and washer21. The rivet 5 does not pass through the center 8 of the arc defined byflange 7, but is positioned at a greater distance from the inner surface14' of flange 7' and slightly to the left. Operation of this embodimentfor gripping an object such as drop wire 15' between surfaces 14' and17' is identical to the first embodiment.

The support member 23 provides a means for anchoring the device to astructure. The anchoring means includes the arm 25 which extends in thegeneral direction of a line defined by the upwardly turned end portions18', 19 of flange 7'. The end portion of the arm 25 is twistedapproximately so that it is in a plane that is normal to the flatportion 24 and has a hole 26 for receiving a hook 27 of type shown inFig. 6 for attaching the device to a structure.

General freedom of movement of the device about the hook 27 allows thedevice to orient itself in response to the tension exerted by thesuspended drop wire 15'. There is no tendency then for the drop wire tobe pulled outwardly from between the surface 14 and 17'. Any movement inthis direction is, of course, curbed by the lip 20 on flanged disc 12'and support 23.

The end portions 18, 19' of flange 7' are flared outwardly from theobject 1 5' being gripped to prevent damage to the surface of theobylect by the ends of the flange.

The devices of both embodiments can be made very cheaply since all partswith the exception of the rivets 5, 5' are stamped out and are made frommetal sheet material. Where the devices are to be used in telephoneinstallations, they may be made of stainless steel to withstand weatherconditions.

Though the embodiments described are especially effective with certainconfigurations for the various gripping surfaces, other devices havingthe same general function may be constructed with surfiaces of differentconfigurations. Many other modifications may be made in this inventionas exemplified in the above described embodiments and defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. A device for gripping an elongate object comprising a cylindricalmember having an eccentric axis of rotation; a support member movablewith respect to said cylindrical member about said axis and having aportion of a cylindrical flange eccentrically spaced from said axis andspaced outwardly from said cylindrical member, said cylindrical portionand cylindrical surface moving closer together when rotated relative toeach other in one direction to cause a first object placed between saidcylindrical member and said flange to be wedged tlherebetween; a basemember being rotatable with respect to said support member about saidaxis of rotation and having a flange spaced outwardly from saidcylindrical flange, said flanges coming closer together in one directionto cause a second object placed between said flanges to be wedgedtherebetween; and means rotatively connecting said cylindrical, supportand base members and constituting said axis of rotation.

2. A device for gripping an elongate object comprising a cylindricalmember having an eccentric axis of rotation; a support member movablewith respect to said cylindrical member about said axis and having aportion of a cylindrical flange eccentrically spaced from said axis andspaced outwardly from said cylindrical member, said cylindrical portionand cylindrical surface moving closer together when rotated relative toeach other in one direction to cause a first object placed between saidcylindrical member and said flange to be wedged therebetween; a basemember having an opening therein, said base member be 1 ing rotatablewith respect to said support member about said axis of rotation andhaving a flange spaced outwardly from said cylindrical flange, saidflanges coming closer together in one direction to cause a second objectplaced between said flanges to be wedged therebetween; means rotativelyconnecting said cylindrical, support and base members and constitutingsaid axis of rotation; said opening in said base member being largerthan said connecting means to allow movement of said base in a planeperpendicular to said connecting means.

3. A device for gripping elongate objects, said device cam member andsaid flange portion to be wedged therebetween, a third member movableabout said axis of rotation with respect to said second member andhaving an additional flange portion spaced outwardly from said firstmentioned flange portion, said flange portions coming closer togetherwhen rotated relative to each other in one direction to cause a secondobject placed between said flange portions to be wedged therebetween,and means pivotally connecting said first, second and third members andconstituting said axis of rotation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS689,610 Gamalielson Dec. 24, 1901 859,468 Sullivan July 9, 19071,382,046 Zimmerman June 21, 1921 1,496,603 Rothenberger June 3, 1924FOREIGN PATENTS 267,636 Great Britain Mar. 24, 1927

